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- Application of climatic guidelines to urban planning: the example of Lisbon (Portugal)Publication . Alcoforado, Maria Joao; Andrade, Henrique; Lopes, António; Vasconcelos, JoãoIn order to contribute to the sustainability of the urban environment, knowledge about the urban climate should be translated into climatic guidelines for planning. However, there are hardly any studies on applied urban climatology in areas with a Mediterranean type of climate. The study presented in this paper has several aims: to identify the climatic needs in a coastal city with Mediterranean climate; to describe the methodology, which can be adapted in order to be used in other cities; to discuss some of the problems that arise when applying climatic knowledge to urban planning, including the selection of the adequate scale of analysis, the required data and tools, the selection of the planning priorities, and the need to develop a shared language among planners and climatologists; and last to contribute to furthering the debate on the advantages of including climatic guidelines in Master Plans of urban municipalities in a systematic way. Lisbon’s case study is presented. As planners need spatialized guidelines, the mapping of Lisbon’s physical features was carried out using a Geographical Information System. Based on a Digital Terrain Model and on data of urban roughness a “ventilation map” was produced. A “building-density” map was also prepared based on the analysis of a Landsat image and field work. By crosstabulating these two layers, a final map depicting Lisbon’s “homogeneous climatic-response units” was prepared. Finally, a series of climatic guidelines for planning were put forth for the different units.
- Heat stress mitigation by exploring UTCI hotspots and enhancing thermal comfort through street treesPublication . Silva, Tiago; Matias, Márcia; Girotti, Carolina; Vasconcelos, João; Lopes, AntónioHeat stress mitigation actions must be carefully planned in order to achieve efective outcomes. By integrating urban planning guidelines with urban climate knowledge, substantial benefts can be achieved for the community. In Lisbon, the study area, urban planning guidelines are strict in relation to the tree species which should be used for planting. This study examined these species environmental contributions to the community, especially in regard to heat stress mitigation in two urban canyons previously found as UTCI hotspots. For this, microclimatic Envi-met simulations were run which allowed recalculation of the UTCI hotspot analysis and to assess individual species contribution to possible mitigation eforts. Results demonstrated the ability of these trees to lower air temperature and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). By reducing UTCI temperatures between 3.19 °C and 6.27 °C on a hot summer’s day, these trees were also able to transform an identifed UTCI hotspot into a coldspot. From the studied species, Pyrus calleryana was found to be the most efective species for mitigating thermal stress, although all three species performed well. Regarding community services, according to the iTree tool, Cercis siliquastrum had the greatest overall impact. These results give to the municipal urban planning which tree species should be prioritized in terms of climate action, as well as a methodological framework to assess at local scale which areas should be intervened.
- Short-term impacts of air temperature on hospitalizations for mental disorders in LisbonPublication . Almendra, Ricardo; Loureiro, Adriana; Silva, Giovani; Vasconcelos, João; Santana, PaulaBackground: Individuals with mental disorders are often susceptible to the effects of extreme ambient temperatures. The aim of this study is to assess the short-term impacts of daily mean temperature on hospitalizations for mental disorders in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal. Methods: To assess the short-term impacts of daily mean temperature on hospitalizations for mental disorders (2008–2014), a quasi-Poisson generalized additive model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was applied. The model was adjusted for day of the week, air pollution, relative humidity, time and seasonality. Results: The number of hospital admissions for mental disorder during the study period was 30,139. Hospital admissions increase significantly with high temperatures on day of exposure, at lag 0–1 and at lag 0–2.Women are more vulnerable than men, and there was no difference between the age groups studied. Conclusions: The exposure to high temperatures should be considered a significant risk factor for mental disorders; therefore, patient management services may need to be strengthened when extreme high temperature alerts are given.
- Thermal preference and pleasantness of a students’ population in a coastal urban area during summerPublication . Silva, Tiago; Lopes, António; Vasconcelos, João; Morgado, PauloIn thermal comfort research, two main domains are identified: objective and subjective. This study focusses on the latter, examining various aspects of preference, sensation, and pleasantness. It also clearly distinguishes each concept and sets the groundwork for their standardised use in urban planning and urban climate studies. Additionally, this study emphasises the often-overlooked geographical perspective, aiming to address previous gaps in this research area. Environmental conditions were found to be the main determinants influencing pedestrians' thermal sensation, preference, and pleasure. Key factors include air temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed, which exhibit strong correlations with pleasure responses. Additionally, urban density, clothing type and colour, shading, sex, and weather type significantly impact thermal sensation and reported pleasantness. It was observed that people who overdressed for the season, wore dark or warmer clothes, experienced air temperature and solar radiation more intensely. Similarly, those in high-density urban areas, without shade, or when weak continental wind conditions were observed, reported stronger thermal sensations. Women generally sensed air temperature and solar radiation as more intense compared to men. These factors influence thermal pleasantness, varying in importance, spatial distribution, and statistical relationship. Higher wind speeds, particularly from an Atlantic direction, were found to enhance thermal pleasantness by balancing conditions and reducing thermal sensation votes for air temperature and solar radiation. Green areas also increased thermal pleasantness by lowering air temperature and solar radiation sensations and promoting a sense of happiness among pedestrians.
- A micro-scale look into pedestrian thermophysiological comfort in an urban environmentPublication . Silva, Tiago; Lopes, António; Vasconcelos, JoãoDiferent spatial scales enable the analysis of thermophysiological conditions of pedestrians in an urban environment. A higher resolution hotspot analysis was conceived using GIS technology in some areas of Lisbon with diferent morphological conditions. Eleven hotspots were found across six study areas, located in high to moderate urban density conditions and in diferent types of urban spaces. So, six hotspots were found in avenues (high urban density conditions), three in streets, and two in general open spaces (moderate urban density conditions). These spaces are characterized by being busy areas with high anthropogenic infuence, with high-absorbing and refective materials, and with very poor green infrastructure. Environmental conditions, namely, radiation, mean radiant temperature, and air temperature, were the main cause of hotspot existence, and the main propellers for UTCI intensifcation. The urban density variable was also found to be important, especially in avenues and open spaces. In these areas, the adjusted component for environmental and urban density conditions can increase 0.60 to 1.35 °C in open spaces and 0.30 to 0.60 °C in avenues, each time there is a one-unit increase in the component. Trees, either in the street or in parks, have generally been found to decrease the UTCI.
- Excess winter mortality and morbidity before, during, and after the Great Recession: the Portuguese casePublication . Almendra, Ricardo; Perelman, Julian; Vasconcelos, João; Santana, PaulaAlthough winter mortality and morbidity are phenomena common to most European countries, their magnitude varies significantly from country to country. The geographical disparities among regions with similar climates are the result of several social, economic, demographic, and biological conditions that influence an individual's vulnerability to winter conditions. The impact of poor socioeconomic conditions may be of such magnitude that an economic recession may aggravate the seasonal mortality pattern. This paper aims to measure the seasonal winter mortality, morbidity, and their related costs during the Great Recession (2009-2012) in mainland Portugal and its Regional Health Administrations (RHAs) and to compare it with the periods preceding and following it. Monthly mortality and morbidity data were collected and clustered into three periods: Great Recession (2009-2012), Pre-Recession (2005-2008), and Post-Recession (2013-2016). The impact of seasonal winter mortality and morbidity during the Great Recession in Portugal and its Regional Health Administrations was measured through the assessment of age-standardized excess winter (EW) death and hospital admissions rate and index, expected life expectancy gains without EW deaths, EW rate of potential years of life lost, and EW rate of emergency hospital admission costs. Important increases of winter deaths and hospital admissions were identified, resulting in an important number of potential years of life lost (87 years of life lost per 100,000 inhabitants in 2009-2012), life expectancy loss (1 year in 2009-2012), and National Health Service costs with explicit temporal and spatial variations. These human and economic costs have decreased consistently during the analyzed periods, while no significant increase was found during the Great Recession. Despite its reduction, the winter excess morbidity and mortality highlight that Portugal still faces substantial challenges related to a highly vulnerable population, calling for investments in better social and health protection.
- Community pharmacies deserts in Mainland PortugalPublication . Martins, Bernanrdo; Viana, Cláudia M.; Vale, David S.; Vasconcelos, João; Rocha, JorgeFollowing the definition of “food deserts” used by the US Department of Agriculture and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. This term is being used to improve access to healthy food for communities designated as “food deserts”. Thus, the term “pharmacy deserts” was adopted based on the concept of “food deserts” and refers to geographic areas that do not have access to a nearby pharmacy or where pharmaceutical services are weak and difficult to obtain (Pednekar and Peterson, 2018). The term “pharmacy desert” appears for the first time with Qato et al., (2014), who considers as if a community has more than 33% of the population living more than one mile (about 1600 meters) from a pharmacy. Main objectives were to identify areas that constitute “pharmacy deserts” and to select potential areas for new pharmacy locations in mainland Portugal. As secondary objectives we intend to analyse the disparities at the local level, understand if the populations are mostly at distances considered acceptable from a pharmacy and understand the accessibility of the elderly population to the community pharmacy network.
- North African dust intrusions and increased risk of respiratory diseases in Southern PortugalPublication . Silva, T.; Fragoso, Marcelo; Almendra, R.; Vasconcelos, J.; Lopes, António; Faleh, A.The study of dust intrusions in Portugal is still a subject on which little investigation has been made, especially in terms of their effects. Thus, this work aims to achieve two goals: firstly, to characterize the dust intrusions in the study area; and secondly, to evaluate the possible statistical association between the dust intrusion days and hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases. Dust intrusions in Portugal are prevalent during the summer season. During this season, the dust plumes tend to cover broader areas than in the other seasons and they have origin in the North African countries. In the study area for the period between 2005 and 2015, the relative risk of urgent hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases was 12.6% higher during dust intrusion days. In order to obtain this statistical association, a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model was developed. With this work, we expect to help the development of further studies regarding North African dust intrusions in Portugal, more precisely their effects on human health.
- Climate walking: A comparison study of mobile weather stations and their relevance for urban planning, design, human health and well-beingPublication . Silva, Tiago; Ramusga, R.; Matias, Márcia; Amaro, J.; Bonifácio, Ana; Reis, Cláudia; Chokhachian, A.; Lopes, G.; Almeida, A.; Frazão, J.; Vasconcelos, J.; Lopes, António; Morgado, PauloMicroclimate conditions affect the outdoor urban way of life for humans. These conditions directly impact people’s health and well-being, such as access to medical care or a healthy lifestyle. Human thermal comfort is paramount for people’s health, both physical and mental. In this paper, the study compares two microclimate mobile weather stations (MWS) based on a set of users’-based assessment criteria (usability, user-friendliness, sensors) and thermal comfort (UTCI) results accuracy. The comparison was carried out through continuous mobile transect measurements lasting an hour and a half, conducted on two summer days in Lisbon across distinct urban morphological settings. This research was developed to assist future researchers in urban climatology with the design of microscale studies, particularly in relation to equipment selection, performance assessment, and methodological procedures. In terms of performance, we found the RMSE to be 1.3 ◦C for air temperature, 1.6 % for relative humidity, 1.3 m/s for wind speed, and 8.4 W/m2 for solar radiation for MWS 1, and 1.5 ◦C for air temperature, 2.9 % for relative humidity, 1.5 m/s for wind speed, and 11.6 W/m2 for radiation for MWS 2. Both MWS units exhibited a consistent performance, however, MWS 1 demonstrated greater overall accuracy, particularly in the measurement of air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Differences were also observed between the sensors of MWS 1 and MWS 2, as well as in the MWS usability, factors which may be significant depending on the users’ objectives and available resources. Despite this, both MWS units were deemed suitable for deployment in urban environments, with MWS 2 offering a more intuitive user experience. The findings of this study are particularly relevant for those beginning mobile meteorological measurements, as well as for researchers aiming to address urban heat stress and enhance public well-being and thermal comfort through their work. However, the study is limited by its short duration and geographic scope, and further research is needed to expand its applicability to diverse urban settings.
- Thermal stress and comfort assessment in urban areas using Copernicus Climate Change Service Era 5 reanalysis and collected microclimatic dataPublication . Silva, Tiago; Lopes, António; Vasconcelos, João; Chokhachian, Ata; Wagenfeld, Malte; Santucci, DanieleIn this initial study of a research project, this paper seeks to understand the thermal conditions in the cities of Lisbon and Munich, specifcally focusing on Urban Heat Island intensity and on thermal comfort using the Universal Thermal Climate Index modeling data at the Local Climate Zone scale. Based on these datasets, Munich has exhibited more unfavourable thermal conditions than Lisbon. In terms of UHII, both cities have shown that low, medium, and high rise compact urban areas and bare rock or paved areas have the highest values, while sparsely built areas have the lowest. These results difer from the UTCI, which indicates that in Lisbon and Munich, these sparsely built areas as well as areas with low plants and vegetation are the most uncomfortable. In Munich, the population was exposed to very strong heat stress, while Lisbon experienced strong heat stress conditions. Conversely, low, medium, and high rise compact urban areas and densely wooded areas in Munich, and scattered trees areas and large low-rise urban areas in Lisbon, have demonstrated the lowest monthly mean and average maximum values. These results will be further explored in future studies in the city of Lisbon and crosschecked with data obtained from roving missions. This will enable a more detailed temporal and local analysis.